House construction



y 1937- I c. A. PATTERSON 2,078,970

HOUSE CONSTRUCTION Original Filed May 23, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 1INVENTORQ 6baSiw'A. Patie1'Jom 15 l my Qi/FQL e- 10 14 1115 6 gATTORNEYJ' y 1937' A. PATTERSON 2,078,970

H HOUSE CONSTRUCTION Original Fild May 25, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 15INVENTOR,

flmri'm'Afaikmsom Y My MM ATTORNEYJ y 4} 1937-, c. A. PATTERSON2,078,970

HOUSE CONSTRUCTION OriginaPFiled May 25, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR,

ATTORNEYJ May 4, 1937. c. A. PATTERSON HOUSE CONSTRUCTION Original FiledMay 23, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR, MA- atMJmz4 BY MM ATTORNEYJ Y1l937.. c. A. "PATTERSON 2,078,970

' HOUSE CONSTRUCTION Original Filed May 23, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 5INVENTOR',

('lmsMA-Patienfon, 23 m MM ATTORNEYJ' Patented May 4, 1937 PATENT OFFICEHOUSE CONSTRUCTION Chester A. Patterson, Peekskill, N. Y., assignor toHiter King, New York, N. Y.

Original application May 23, 1934, Serial No.

727,090. Divided and this application Novemher 2, 1934, Serial No.

7 Claims.

This invention relates to houses and particularly to houses anddwellings made of prefabricated parts.

One object of the invention is a novel house or dwelling constructionwhich permits the utilization of prefabricated parts and materialsthroughout and which is characterized by its strength and durability andby the economy and rapidity with which'it may be erected in the field.

A further object of the invention is a house or dwelling of the aboveindicated character which is further characterized by the flexibility ofits construction and its adaptabilityto the various standardarchitectural periods or types and to the various shapes and formsthereof, both as to interior and exterior finish.

A further object of the invention is a house or dwelling of the aboveindicated character which is further characterized by the facility withwhich any ordinary architectural plans may be followed with theutilization of the prefabricated parts of novel and improvedconstruction.

A further object of the invention is a novel roof truss including anailing ground work whereby roof materials of any type may beincorporated therein on sheathing as a base for slate, tile, wood,shingles, metal, composition or other types of roofing.

A further object of the invention is a novel roof truss and framework.

A further object of the invention is a novel ridge structure for housesor dwellings.

A further object of the invention is a novel ceiling construction forhouses and dwellings.

Further objects of the invention will hereinafter appear and for abetter understanding thereof reference may be had to the accompanyingdrawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the framework of a house embodying theinvention;

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic View showing an intermediate roof truss andother features of the invention;

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic end view of an end roof truss;

Fig. 4 is an end view of the ridge;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view generally on the line 5--5 of Fig. 1;

i Fig. 6 is a sectional view along the line 66 of Fig. 5;

Fig. '7 is a sectional view along the line '|-'I of Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is a plan-view of the ridge at an intermediate roof truss;

. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a part of an intermediate truss at theeaves;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the ridge construction and roof trussmembers;

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of end roof truss;

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the corner frame construction at theeaves;

Fig. 13 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 5 showing a modification;

Fig. 14 is a sectional view along the line of Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is a sectional view along the line l5-l5 of Fig. 13; and

Fig. 16 is a sectional view showing a modification.

Referring to the drawings the house of this invention embodies aframework of prefabricated parts and units which are fabricated at thefactory and assembled into an enduring and permanent structure with aminimum of labor cost and with certain other advantages characteristicof the particular structure forming the subjectmatter hereof. Forexample, the framework comprises outside fioor channels or beams l,inside floor beams or channels 2, corner vertical studs 3, intermediatevertical studs 4, outside horizontal ceiling or floor beams 5, rooftrusses indicated generally by the numeral 6 and comprising endhorizontal truss structures 1 and intermediate truss beams 8, and afoundation comprising a I multiplicity of pier structures 9. Ashereinafter more particularly described, the structure of this frameworkis characterized by its flexibility and adaptation to variousarchitectural designs,'to the size and general plan of house desired,whether one story or multiple story, and to the use of any of theconventional materials for the outside finish and wall and for theinside finish and wall.

The outside beams l are formed of channel members with their flangeshorizonally disposed and projecting inwardly and the adjacent ends ofthese channels I have their flanges cut off or mitered along the lines26 to form mating edges and at a corner where these floor beams l aredisposed at right angles to each other the flanges 25 are cut off on anangle of 45 with respect to the webs I of the channels. The lowerflanges 25 rest upon the plates or shelves l8 and 18', disposed on theupper ends of the pier structures 9, and are anchored to said plates l8and I8 and the pier structure by means of bolts 21 passing down throughthe anchor plates and also through the angle pieces IS. A bolt 28 isindia part of the I l-l4 cated for fastening the plate I 8 to thehorizontal wing of an angle piece IS. The anchor plates I8 and I8, whichare preferably removably secured to the pier structures 9, may be of anysuitable thickness and shims may be utilized for compensating fordifferences in level in the assembly of the prefabricated structures.

The intermediate or cross floor beams 2 are used wherever desired, asfor example where it may be desired to reduce the size of the floorpanels or where it is desired to incorporate a service pipe or line. inthe-plane of a vertical stud 4 and co-operates and functions therewithnot only as a structural element of the frame but as a continuation ofthe conduit formed by the vertical stud 4 for the accommodation ofservice pipesand lines.

A corner vertical stud 3 (Figs. 11 and 12) includes an L-beam 35 withits lower end bolted to the floor beams l at their junction point, thewebs of the L-beam 35 having their inner surfaces flush with the outsidesurfaces of the meeting beams and projecting down below the upper flangeas shown. The webs of the L-beam are of the same width and thickness andcarry on the interior thereof the smaller L shaped members 36, the webs36' thereof abutting against the inner surfaces of the webs of theL-beam 35 and being rigidly fastened thereto in any suitable -manner,with their lower ends flush with the upper surface of the top flange 25.The other webs of the L-beams 36 have inwardly turned feet or flanges attheir lower ends resting upon the upper surfaces of the top flanges 25of the two adjacent corner floor beams I, being suitably secured theretoby the bolts. At their upper ends the webs are provided with twooutwardly turned feet or shelves 38 which are secured by the bolts 38'to and act as a support for a floor or ceiling beam 5, these beams 36engaging the under side of the horizontal webs 5' of the beams 5. The Lshaped member 35 terminates at the edge of the downwardly disposedflanges of the beams 5 and the ends of the webs thereof are flush withsaid flanges. Preferably the structure is further reinforced by anelongated angle piece 39 fastened at its lower end by rivets or welds 46to the Webs of the L member 35 and fastened at its upper end by thewelds or rivets 4| to the adjacent adjoining floor or ceiling beams 5.The horizontal webs 5 of the latter are also cut off or mitered at 42 atan angle of 45 to the vertical web to form a mating engagement at thecorner.

The intermediate vertical stud members 4 (Figs. 1 and 9) comprises thevertical channels 41 whose flanges 47' extend inwardly from the centralweb and are provided with feet or flanges at their lower ends disposedat right angles to the flanges 41'. The channels 41 rest upon the upperflanges 25 of the floor beams or sills and the feet or flanges aresecured by bolts thereto. The upper ends of the channels 41 abut againstthe under side of the web 5 of the L member 5, and the flanges 4'! ofthe channel 47 are formed with feet or shelves 50 turned at right anglesthereto, and outwardly with respect to the feet or flanges 48, abuttingagainst the under side of the web 5 and being secured thereto in anysuitable manner, as for example by the bolts 5|. At this point a sectionof the web 5' is removed to form a conduit opening in line with the ductfofmed by the channel 41, this opening being indicated at 52. The trussbeam 8 at this point is especially constructed and correlated with theceiling beam 5 and the vertical stud 4 to provide The cross beam 2 isdisposed a continuous open conduit from a point above the ceiling orabove the level of the beam 5 to the service duct formed by the verticalchannel 41. This beam 8 comprises a pair of juxtaposed L members 53 and54 (see Fig. 9) two of the webs of these L members being back to back,while the other webs 53' and 54 are disposed in a horizontal plane andcaused to diverge at a point 55, a point substantially in advance of thebeam 5, and after diverging until their inner edges are spaced adistance approximately equal to the opening 52, are then continued abovethe beams 5 in parallel spaced ends 56, 51, which project a substantialdistance beyond the beams 5, to provide the desired eave or overhangingof the roof etc. The opening 52 is, therefore, of ample dimensions andshape to facilitate the leading of service pipes and lines to and frompoints above the ceiling and from and into the ducts formed by thechannels 41 and 30. The bolts 5| may be utilized for fastening thechannel 41, the beam 5 and the beam 8 securely together.

An intermediate roof truss (Figs, 1, 2, 10 and 9) comprises thehorizontal truss members 8, the inclined truss members 60 and theintermediate bracing BI and 62. An end truss (Figs. 1, 3, 10 and 12)comprises a structure 1 superposed upon the beams 5, the inclined beams63 and the intermediate bracing members 64.

The beam 60 comprises a web 55 disposed in a vertical plane, to theopposite sides of which are secured two L-shaped members, the Webs 66 ofwhich lie flat against the vertical web 65 and are substantially flushtherewith at their upper edges. The web 65 projects below the Webs 61 ofthese L-shaped members. At the lower end Where this beam rests upon theoverhanging ends 56 and 51 of the truss beam 8 (see Fig. 9) the part ofthe beam 60 and the L-shaped members are formed into a bearing surface,flat underneath, to rest upon a plate 68 which is secured to and bridgesthe overhanging ends 56 and 51, the two being suitably secured together,as for example by the bolts 68. For this purpose the webs 61 areprovided with feet 6'! turned at an obtuse angle to the main body of theweb 51 and the width of the webs 66 are correspondingly reduced at 66 tomatch the angularly displaced feet 61', the under edge of the web 65being formed with a surface flush with the under side of the feet 61',the beams 60 being secured to the plates 68 and thence to the extensions56 and 51 of the beam 8 by means of the bolts 69.

The ridge structure is shown in Figs. 5 and 10. This ridge structurecomprises a multiplicity of plate members comprising two layers ofstaggered plate members 70, H, and H extending horizontally the lengthof the ridge. The members 'H and 1| are made a part of the truss members60 and 63, being welded or bolted thereto before being shipped to thehome site. The intermediate ridge members 10 are composed of staggeredplates I02 and I03 welded or riveted together. The webs 66, for example,of the beams 60 have their ends 12 turned out of the plane thereof andat right angles thereto, but inclined to the upper edges thereof so asto abut flat against the staggered ridge member H; the webs 61 areformed so as to have their ends flush with the abutting surface of thefeet 12 and the upper end of the web 65 is similarly formed with anabutting edge flush with the abutting surfaces of the feet 12. The upperend of the beam 60 is anchored to the ridge structure H, as beforementioned, in any suitable manner, as for example by bolts passingthrough the feet 12 or by welding as shown, the

ridge members H and the feet 12 abutting thereagainst 0n the oppositeside. The bracing members 6| and 62 of the intermediate truss arefastened at their lower ends to the abutting webs 53 and 54 of the beam8 and are fastened at their upper end to the central web 65 in anysuitable manner, as for example by bolting, riveting or Welding.

An end roof truss (Figs. 1, 3, 10, 12 and 11) includes an elongatedplate 15 mounted upon the horizontal web 5' of the corresponding flooror ceiling beam 5, this elongated plate overhanging the beam 5 bothlaterally and longitudinally. The inclined truss member 63 rests at itslower end upon the projecting end 15' of the plate 15. The truss member63 comprises a central elongated web 16 and a pair of elongated angleirons having webs 11 and 18 abutting against opposite sides of the webs18, the other webs or wings 11 and 18 of these angle irons beingreversely disposed with respect to each other in the vertical direction.The web H of the angle iron has its lower end 19 turned at an anglethereto to form a foot rest flatagainst the overhanging end 15 of theplate l5and the web 18 of the opposite angle iron is similarly formed toform a bearing edge resting upon the plate. The web 16 projects up abovethe two angle irons carried thereby to form a projecting edge 88, andalso has a suflicient width to project a substantial distance downbeyond the two angle irons, and this lower projecting edge is also cutofi at an angle on its lowermost end flush with the foot 19 of the angleiron to form a bearing surface. The upper end of the web 16 is formedinto an abutting flange 8| abutting against the ridge member 1| and theweb 18 of the angle iron has its end turned downwardly to form anabutting flange 82 for resting against the flange 8|. The two end trussmembers 63 abut at opposite sides against the ridge structure H theplates H being welded or riveted to the flanges 8| (see Fig. 10).

A special frame structure 1 is built upon the elongated truss plate 15,comprising an elongated L-beam 85 having a flange 86 disposed in avertical plane and a horizontal flange or web- 81 and this L-beam issupported up above the level of the truss plate 15 by means of spacers8B, the latter having feet 88' resting upon the truss plate 15 andbearing against the under side of the flange 81 respectively, with boltsindicated in Fig. 11 for securing the parts together. The beam 85 issuitably formed at its end to abut against the inclined roof trussmember 63, as for example having the end of the flange 8'! turneddownwardly to form a foot 89 bearing against the flange 18 of the trussmember 63. Also the flange 86 is similarly formed with an edge bearingagainst the inclined flange 18. The flange 86 of the L-beam bears at itsend against the outside surface of the web 16 and the two may be firmlysecured together by bolts 90.

The bracing frame member 64 is in the form of an L-beam with the flanges91 and 92 which rest upon the horizontal flange 81 of the L-beam 85(Fig. 11), the lower ends of the flange 9i being turned at right anglesthereto to form a foot 93 bearing upon the flange 81. The L-beam ismortised, as indicated, at 62' by mortising off the flange 92 flush withthe upper edge of the flange 86 and the outer surface of the flange 92is flush withthe outer surface of the flange 86. In order to reinforceand securely fasten the brace 64 to the beam 85 a bracket 94, having afoot 94' resting upon the foot 93, is secured to the flange 92, theflange 86 and the flange 81 by means of the bolts 95 indicated. At itsupper end the brace 64 is securely fastened to the flange 18' of thetruss member 63, the flange 9i being turned over at its upper end toform a bearing surface 96 (see Figs. 1 and 3) abutting against the undersurface of the flange 18', while the flange 92 is cut off to form abearing edge against the under surface of the flange l8 and any suitablemeans may be provided for firmly fastening the upper end of this braceto the truss member, as for example by welding, bolting or riveting theflange 92 against the web 16 or to the flange 18.

Any suitable cross members needed may be provided between the floor orceiling beams 5 and the truss members 8, such for example as a beamformed of two L members 91 (Fig. 11) with two of their flanges back toback and with their horizontal flanges 9'! resting upon the plate 15 andthe webs 53 or 54 at the other end and these beam structures 91 may besecurely fastened in position in any suitable manner, as for example bythe bolts 98 passing through the plate 15.

The roof ridge members 10, 'H and II, formed of staggering leaf lengthsdisposed in vertical planes, are an advantage because of the rigidity instructure and the simplicity in assembly and the economy and facilitywith which the same may be prefabricated, shipped and assembled. Forexample, the two members I and llll forming the end roof truss ridge Hare of different lengths, while the leaves I92 and 183 of theintermediate roof ridge members 10 are of greater length than either ofthe lengths I08 and IDI, but are of the same length. The lengths I84 andI85 of the ridge member H at an intermediate roof truss may also be ofthesame length and so on to the other end of the ridge where unequallengths are provided to match the unequal lengths I00 and H (or theunequal lengths of other leaves). A continuous smooth surface ridge isthereby obtained of sectional standard character without the necessityof mortising and other fitting operations and the parts are generallyinterchangeable. At I86 are indicated transverse bolts for securing theunits 10 to the adjacent units H and ll, these bolts passing throughoverlapping ends of leaves as indicated. Angle lengths I81 are welded orotherwise secured flat against the intermediate ridge members 18 for apurpose hereinafter described.

In Figs. 13, 14 and 15 is shown an intermediate roof truss constructionand Fig. 16 shows an end roof truss construction corresponding theretowhich is particularly adaptable to a lighter house construction thanthat described above. Referring to the intermediate roof truss itcomprises a horizontal T beam 53a. with the web 258 horizontallydisposed and resting at either end upon the outside beam members 5. Thisweb 258 projects beyond the outside ceiling beam 5. The inclined rooftruss embodies a beam made up of a central web 25| to the opposite sidesof which and intermediate its edges are fastened, as for example bywelding or bolting, two L members 252. The outwardly extending flanges252 of the L member have their ends turned at an angle to the main bodyof the beam to form feet 253 which restupon either side of the web 259of the horizontal member at its projecting end. The

web 25! is cut off or formed at its end with a bearing surface flushwith the bearing surfaces of the feet 253. The T member 530. and theinclined truss member are secured together in any suitable manner, asfor example by the bolts 254 passing through the web 250 and the feet253. If desired, the two beam members of the truss may be furtherreinforced by securing the T member 53a to the web 25!, as indicated bythe bolts 255, and for this purpose the two beams are oifset slightlywith respect to each other to a distance equal to the thickness of theweb 25! so as to enable the two vertical webs to pass and lie flatagainst each other for fastening. Preferably the ridge structure inFigs. 16 and 13 is similar to the ridge structure above described.

The end roof truss embodies an inclined roof beam 256 comprising avertical web 251 and two L members 258 and 259 fastened to the oppositesides of the vertical web 251 and intermediate the upper and lower edgesthereof. The horizontal truss beam comprises a pair of L beams 260, 26!having their vertical flanges secured at the ends to the opposite sidesof the web 256, both L beams 260, 26! resting upon the outside beam 5with the ceiling panels I26, I 21 resting upon the horizontal web ofbeam member 266. The gable wall comprises prefabricated panels of anysuitable material, such as an inner layer of cellotex 262, anintermediate layer of laminated wood I or if desired insulation and anouter layer of wood 263. The inner layer 262 with the laminated wood I10may be anchored in position in any suitable manner, as for example bymeans of male and female bolts I65, 166 as. below described which arefastened to the inclined beams 256 and the horizontal beams 26!. Theouter layer 263 of Wood may be fastened in any suitable manner, as forexample by nailing. A corner molding 264 is indicated with metallicflash 265 forming the continuation of the metallic roof 204 and suitablemolding 266 is fastened adjacent the horizontal beam 260, 26!. Insidemolding at the horizontal beam is indicated at 261, 268.

In the embodiment of Fig. 5 the interior wall is formed of a compositeCellotex and sheet rock structure, the cellotex being indicated at I26and the sheet rock at I21. This is also made in sections, prefabricatedand ready for assembly by unskilled workmen.

A further modification of the wall structure is shown in Fig. 13. Herethe cellotex sheet rock interior panel Walls I26, I21 are backed by alayer of laminated wood resting against the interior side of thevertical web I I 5, the web of the corner L member 35 and against theweb of the outside ceiling beam 5. These panels may be fastened in anysuitable manner, as for example by the female and male fastening boltsI65, I66, the parts I65 being carried by the vertical webs I I5, by thehorizontal beams 5 and, if necessary, the bottom by angle pieces mountedupon the channels I.

Referring to Figs. 5, 6, and 11 the ceiling comprises a composite layerof cellotex and sheet rock I26 and I21, the panels thereof resting atone end on the flanges 53, 54' of the L beams 53--54, and at the otherend or side on horizontal plate members 15 extending out over theinterior wall panels I26, I21. Suitable molding devices I81, I81 arefastened in any suitable manner to the under side of the L beams 53-54,as for example by means of the screws indicated, and a holding means I88is carried by the L beams 53-54 having fingers I88 bearing down upon theceiling finish panels I 26', I21 to hold them in place. In Fig. 13 theceiling panels I26, I21 rest on ends or sides upon the moldings I89 andT members 53a and a molding finish I89 is applied to the corner.

In Fig. 11 is shown a condition where great Width of room may require across ceiling beam 91 at right angles to beams 53 and 54, in which casethe flanges 9'! will rest on one end bolted by bolts 63 to plate 15 andat the other end on flanges 53'54 of beams 53-54, and securely boltedthereto. In this case ceiling I21-I26 can rest on flanges 61 andmoldings I81.

The roof is arranged to take either slate or any other composition orshingles. Referring to Figs. 5, 13, 10 and 12, the L members of theinclined roof trusses, namely the Us 66, 61 and 11, 11 carrying nailingblocks 288, these nailing blocks being substantially flush with the Lcarrying members and forming together with the nailing blocks 26!carried by the cross Ls I01 which are Welded to the ridge, a backgroundupon which the roof may be firmly secured. These nailing blocks may besecured in position in any suitable manner, the blocks 26!, for example,being secured by bolts 262 (Fig. 5) passing all the way through theblocks disposed on opposite sides of the ridge 1i) and through the anglepieces I01. A shingle roof 263 is indicated in Fig. 5, and in Fig. 13the roof 204 is indicated as a metal roof but may be any desired form ofroof. not shown, pass through nailing or fastening blocks 268 and 266which are carried by the end inclined roof trusses, the bolts passingthrough both blocks and through the webs of the truss. The blocks 266 onintermediate truss members may be similarly fastened in position.

In the wall construction for the gables, the nailing block 266 togetherwith the nailing block 26'! carried by the horizontal L member 85 form anailing background to which the wall base or gable boarding (not shown),such as sheathing or weatherboarding and the like, may be fastened ornailed and any finish may then be applied, sueli for example as shingles(not shown). If desired, a nailing block or bar may be secured to theoutside of the horizontal L beam 5, as a nailing block for the gableboarding and the boarding I26 and to form a continuous layer ofinsulating paper or the like (not shown). Horizontally disposed may beprovided immediately below the gable shingles and suitable molding andfinish devices may be associated therewith and underneath the same.

In Fig. 5 eaves molding finish is shown comprising the members 226, 22!,222, and 223, the latter being niortised to receive the upper end of theshingles. A nailing block 224 is bolted to the under side of the beamends 56-51 for facilitatin the application of this molding device. InFig. 13 a nailing and spacing block 224 is bolted to the under side ofthe flanges of the girders 53a and a suitable molding finish 226 isnailed at the upper end to this block 224' and at its lower end to theblock 221. At 228 is indicated a metallic flashing means for preventingaccess of water to the ridge.

In Fig. 2, attached in any desired manner to sill beam I, is shown anangle iron which would be necessary in case a brick or stone veneerfinish for the outside of the house were desired. This L 256 would, ofcourse, run entirely around the house or wherever necessary as a basefor the brick or stone or the like.

Fig. 16 shows an end roof truss construction Transverse bolts,

watershed molding means which is particularly adaptable to a lighterhouse construction. The end roof truss embodies an inclined roof beam256 comprising a vertical web 25! and two L members 258 and 259 fastenedto the opposite sides of the vertical web 25'! and intermediate theupper and lower edges thereof. The horizontal truss beam comprises apair of L beams 2%, 2M having their vertical flanges secured at the endsto the opposite sides of the Web 251, both L beams 260, 26l resting uponthe outside beam with the ceiling panels I26, I21 resting upon thehorizontal web of beam member 2%. The gable wall comprises prefabricatedpanels of any suitable material, such as an inner layer of Cellotex 262,an intermediate layer of laminated wood I'Ifl' or if desired insulationand an outer layer of wood 263. The inner layer 262 with the laminatedWood I may be anchored in position in any suitable manner, as forexample by means of male and female bolts I65, I65 as below describedwhich are fastened to the inclined beams 256 and the horizontal beams26L The outer layer 263 of wood may be fastened in any suitable manner,as for example by nailing. A corner molding 264 is indicated withmetallic flash 265 forming the continuation of the metallic roof 2M andsuitable molding 266 are fastened adjacent the horizontal beam 260, 26I.Inside molding at the horizontal beam is indicated at 261, 268.

A house structure, as above described, may be made more durable and moresatisfactory than the present day constructions and by entirelyeliminating the cellar, the plastering and the greater part of theskilled labor usually required, the house can be built in quantityproduction for less money than the normal construction and still be amuch better built house. The adaptability of the construction to thevarious architectural designs and the standard working materials is alsoan important feature of the construction.

The ceiling construction embodies adequate insulation at every point sothat the construction is much more sound and wind-proof than is oftenobtained under present day normal constructions.

The roof is arranged to take either slate or any other composition orshingles or metal and all cabinets, drawers, etc. can be made either ofmetal or wood in units standardized so as to be bolted into place onarrival.

The roof ridge structure is important comprising the ridge plate unitswhich are assembled and successively bolted together and to which isalso attached the inclined members of the truss. This together with thecross braces tend to make the frame more rigid. The bolting down of theinterior partitions adds strength, the corners all being cross'bracedfor rigidity.

This application is a division of application Serial No. 727,090, filedMay 23, 1934, which relates to building structures made of prefabricatedparts.

I claim:

1. An end roof truss structure for a house comprising a horizontallydisposed plate, an inclined truss member with its lower end resting uponsaid plate, a frame member parallel to and disposed above said platetogether with means for spacing the same and anchoring it in positionand intermediate bracing members fastened at their upper ends to theinclined truss member and at their lower ends to said horizontal member.

2. In a roof for building structures, a ridge structure formed of amultiplicity of separate units disposed in abutting relation and in avertical plane, the intermediate units each comprising two platesdisposed face to face and rigidly fastened together with their endsslightly staggered and the projecting end of a plate of one unit beingsecured flat against the projecting end of a plate of the adjacent unitand in abutting relation with the other plate of the latter by a meansindependent of the means rigidly fastening the staggered plates of unitstogether.

3. A roof structure of the character set forth in claim 2 with roofframe members abutting the opposite sides of said ridge structure.

4. A roof structure comprising a corner vertical stud, mating horizontalbeams mounted upon said vertical stud, a plate disposed upon said beamsand projecting therebeyond and an end roof truss member comprising abeam having its lower end turned at an angle corresponding to theangular relation of the roof truss and the plate to form a bearingsurface thereon and resting on the projecting part of the plate.

5. In a structure of the character set forth in claim 4 wherein the rooftruss member includes a web disposed in a vertical plane and having anedge projecting down below the roof truss beam to provide a fasteningedge for braces and the like.

6. A roof structure comprising a horizontal beam resting upon the lowerframework and projecting therebeyond, and a roof truss member having itslower end formed into a bearing surface and resting upon the overhangingpart of said beam together with means for rigidly fastening the memberstogether, the inclined roof truss comprising angle beams with anelongated plate clamped therebetween and projecting below the websthereof to serve as a fastening means for other parts of the roof frame.

'7. In a roof for building structures, a ridge structure formed of amultiplicity of separate units disposed in abutting relation and in avertical plane, the intermediate units each comprising two platesdisposed face to face and rigidly fastened together with their endsslightly staggered and the projecting end of a plate of one unit beingsecured flat against the projecting end of a plate of the adjacent unitand in abutting relation with the other plate of the latter by a meansindependent of the means rigidly fastening the staggered plates of unitstogether, and the end units being formed of rigidly fastened plates ofdifferent lengths disposed flush at one end with the longer plateprojecting at one end and secured flat against the projecting end of aplate of the adjacent unit by a means independent of the means rigidlyfastening the plates of a unit together.

CHESTER A. PATTERSON.

